HC Deb 12 August 1901 vol 99 cc436-7
MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will explain why a portion of the taskwork in connection with the Irish Census is being done on this occasion by boy writers indoor, paid at 4d. an hour, instead of being given out to duly appointed taskworkers who had to pass a Civil Service examination specially for the position, and the remuneration for whom has been sanctioned by the Treasury.

MR. WYNDHAM

It has been found that certain classes of work which in 1891 were performed by taskworkers could be efficiently done on the present occasion by boy copyists at a considerable saving of expense.

MR. NANNETTI

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that a temporary female clerk on the Census has been appointed to a superintendentship of one of the sections of the Census Department to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Dr. Falkiner, who is also superintendent of statistics in the General Register Office; and seeing that five superinten- dentships on Census have hitherto been held by senior officials in the General Register Office, can he explain why a member on the present staff of that department was not appointed to the vacant post, and why a young girl should be placed in charge of a staff of male clerks.

MR. WYNDHAM

The vacant post of superintendent has not been filled by a female clerk. The section has been placed under the general direction of one of the other male superintendents, and a female clerk has been appointed to assist him in this section, which consists mainly of boys.

MR. NANNETTI

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that in future these appointments are given to senior officers, and not as in this case to a young lady of one and a half years' service.

MR. WYNDHAM

I believe the arrangements made are ample for the work to be done. No doubt should the work develop proper arrangements will be made.

MR. NANNETTI

But is it the intention of the department to appoint ladies in future over the heads of male workers?

MR. WYNDHAM

I do not think that is the intention at all.